Game register



Feb. 6, 1923.

M. H. GILFOY.

GAME REGISTER.

FILED APR. 29. 1919.

2 SHEETS-$HEET1.

/ 1./1. Giifoy.

Feb. 6,1923.

MLH. GILFOY.

GAME REGISTER.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FILED APR 29,1919- y. mm

M. f-LGilfo affonwq Patented Feb. 6, 1923.

MICHAEL H. GILFOF, OF GARRISON, NORTH DAKOTA.

GAME REGISTER.

Application filed April 29, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MICHAEL H. GijnroY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Garrison, in the county ofMcLean and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in a Game Begister, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention has for its object to provide a registering mechanismwhich is antomatically actuated by the rack used to properly group ballson a pool table where by the number of games played at the table isregistered. v

Another object is the provlslon of a game register of this characterwhich may be utilized to register and indicate the numbenof gamescharged up to each player and winch is further provided with'meansoperable at a point removed from the register to release and permit theindicating element to move to its initial position.

lVith these and other objects in view as will appear as the descriptionproceeds the invention comprises the novel features construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be morefully described in the following specification and set forth withparticularity in the claims appended hereto.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the improved game register,

Figure 2 represents a rear elevation thereof, the rear plate of thecasing being re moved,

Figure 3 represents a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 represents a transverse sectional view on the line 4-4 ofFigure 2,

F i re 5 represents a fragmentary perspeotive view of the slidableindicating element removed,

Figure 6 represents a fragmentary perspective view of the pawl and guidewhereby the indicating element is actuated,

Figure 7 represents a front elevation of a modification of theinvention, and

Figure 8 represents a side elevation of the operating mechanism for themodification of the invention illustrated in Flgure T.

Referring to the drawing in detail wherein similar reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral5 indicates a vertically Serial No. 293,437.

elongated casing consisting of a centre plate 6 and removable front andrear plates 7 and 8. respectively. The centre plate is formed along itslongitudinal edges with forwardly d rected angular side flanges 9v inwhich is slidably mounted an, indicator 10 the longitudinal edges ofwhich are suitably grooved to receive the guide flanges 9 and the frontportion of which is concealed behind the front plate 7. I

The indicator 10 is adapted to be proected. through the upper open endcfthe casing and the front surface thereof is divided by a series ofhorizontal lines into several spaces numbered from 1 upwardly. The rearsurface of the indicator is provided with a. series of relatively widedownwardly facing ratchet teeth 11 which are successively engaged,during the upward step by step movement of the indicator by a springactuated pawl 12 whereby the iiidicator is temporarily locked inadjusted position and the crank arm 13 of a shaft 14 is engaged beneath.the terminal of the pawl and, may be rocked upon its axis to lift thetooth of the pawl out of engagement with the tooth of the indicator torelease and permit the latter to fall. by gravitv to'a. position.,-oncealed entirely behind the cover plate 7. The terminal of the shaft14 extended exteriorly of the casing and is directed angular-1y asindicated at 15 and apertured to receive a cable or other element 16'which may be extended to any point removed from the table forconvenience in resetting the register.

A disk 16 is journaled upon a pin 17 secured in the centre plate 6 andis connected by a link 18 with the lower terminal of a slide rod .19.The upper terminal 21 of the slide rod is provided with rearwardlydirected ears 20 forming av support for a pivoted pawl 21 the toothedterminal of which is successively engage-able with the ratchet teeth ofthe indicator to, move the latter upwardly step by step duringreciprocation of the rod and the terminal of the pawl provided withlaterally extending lugs 92 which overlie the spaced guides 23 depending from a. plate 24 secured to the rear surface of the centre plate 6directly above the opening 25 therein through which the ratchet teeth 11are exposed. The pawl and upper terminal of the rod 19 are guidedbetween the members 23 and the lower terminals thereof are curvedoutwardly to accommodate slight swinging movement of the rod incident tothe shitting of the axis of the link 18 during oscillatory movement ofthe disk 16. Shoulders 23 on the guides 23 coact with the lugs 22 tolift the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth.

A supporting hook 26 is secured to the bottom of the centre plate 6 andis provided in its front face with a vertical depression accommodating avertically movable slotted rod 27 having connection at its upperterminal by a link 28 with a portion of the disk 16 lying diametricallyopposite the pivotal connection of the link 18 therewith and acontractile spring 29 is connected at its opposite terminals with thelink 28 and the centre plate 6 whereby the rod 27 is normally retainedin elevated position. The lower terminal of the rod 27 is directedforwardly as indicated at 30 and extends through a slot 31 formed in theupwardly directed extremity of the hook 26. As clearly shown in Figure1, the angular rod extremity 30 is normally spaced above the web orhorizontal portion of the hook 26 and is engageable and depressible bythe triangular rack 48 which is adapted to be supported in the hook.

In order to prevent removal of the rack from the hook 26 without liftingthe rod 27, a finger 33 is pivotally secured to a pin 34 mounted in thegrooved portion of the hook and is engaged by a pin 35' extending acrossthe slot of the rod 27 A total register 35 is supported in a lateralextension 36 of the casing 5 and is provided with a depressible stem 37which is engaged and operated upon each operation of the indicator 10 inorder to register the total number of games played upon the pool tablein connection with which the register is used. A lever 38 is pivotallysupported in the extension 36 upon a pin 39 and its inner terminal isengaged by a shoulder formed upon a strip 40 secured to the rod 19.

At the end of a game it is necessary to rack the balls upon the tableand consequently it is necessary for the players to remove the rack 48from the hook 26 in order to arrange the balls in proper position uponthe table. During removal of the rack, the finger 33 is engaged andswung upwardly thereby, and the finger bearing against the pin 35elevates the rod 27 assisted by spring 29, imparting a rotary movementto the disk 16 and exerting a downward pull upon the rod 19 and the pawl21, thereby engaging the latter with the next successive tooth 11 of theindicator 10. When the rack 32 is replaced upon the rod 30 and pulleddown it depresses the latter and the disk is oscillated in the oppositedirection elevating the rod 19 together with the pawl 21 which latterprojects the indicator 10 a greater distance from the casing. When therod 27 is in ele vated position, the finger 33 is held in upwardlyprojecting position by its engagement with the terminal of the slot inthe rod 27 permitting removal or replacement of the rack. However, whenthe rack is replaced upon the angular end of the rod 27, the pin 35engages and depresses the finger 33 preventing subsequent removal of therack without elevating the rod 27.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 thehook 26 is eliminated and the disk 16 is oscillated each time the rackis used by a cam 42 and rod 43. As the mechanism employed to project theindicator 10 at each oscillation of the disk '16 is the same as thatemployed in connection with that type of the invention illustrated inFigures 1 to 6 that part of the structure is not illustrated in Figure7. The cam wheel 42 is supported upon a pin 44 mounted in the top of thecentre plate 6 and is engaged at its edge by the angular extremity ofthe vertically movable rod 43 the lower extremity of which rod ispivotally connected with the disk 16 said rod being held by a suitableguide shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing. The pin 44 is connectedwith adepending arm 45 and is rigidly connected with the cam 42 whereby theswinging movement of the arm 45 eltects a corresponding movement of thecam 42 moving'the relatively low portion thereof over the terminal ofthe rod 43 and permitting the latter to move upwardly under theinfluence of the spring acting upon the disk 16.

A cable 46 is attached to the lower terminal of the arm 45 whichprojects through the casing 5 and is extended to a guide 47 se cured inthe ceiling or other support and carries at its terminal the rack 48which, when it is moved in the act of setting the balls upon the tableefiect an outward swinging movement of the arm 45 which is transmittedto the cam 42 shifting the latter to such position as to permit the rod43 retained in the guide to move upwardly. When the rack is replaced,the weight of the arm 45 returns the latter to initial position there bydepressing the rod 43, oscillating the disk 16 and returning the pawl 21to its initial position and the pawl acting upon the ratchet teeth ofthe indicator 10 moves the latter upwardly one step.

As shown in Figurel, the angular terminal of the rod 27 is so disposedas to prevent the ball rack from being supported until after the rod isforcibly pulled down and the rack engaged behind the beak of thesupporting hook 26.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising a verticallydisposed substantially fiat rectangular casing having grooves termed inthe inner faces of the sides thereof, a vertically adjustable indicatorelement operable within said grooves and adapted to be projected abovethe top of the casing, transversely extending ratchet teeth arranged. atthe back of said element, a spring actuated pawl for engaging saidratchet teeth for maintaining said element in an adjusted position, adisk rotatably mounted at the lower portion of said casing, means foractuating said disk, a vertically movable slide rod provided. at itsupper end with a pivoted element for successively engaging said ratchetteeth to elevate said element, and a link connecting said rod to saiddisk.

2. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising a, verticallydisposed substan tially flat. rectangular casing having grooves fori'nedin the inner faces of the sides thereof, a vertically adjustableindicator element operable within said grooves and adapted to beprojected above the top of the casing, transversely extending ratchetteeth arranged at the back of said element, a spring actuated pawl forengaging said ratchet teeth for maintaining said element in an ad justedposition, a disk rotatably mounted at the lower portion of said casing,means for actuating said disk, a vertically movable slide rod providedat its upper end with a pivoted element for successively engaging saidratchet teeth to elevate said element, a link connecting said rod tosaid disk, and a guide provided for said rod, said guide provided withmeans to permit of a lateral movement oithe rod.

3. An apparatus for the purpose described comprising a verticallydisposed substantially flat rectangular casing having grooves formed inthe inner faces of the sides thereof, a vertically adjustable indicatorelement operable within said grooves and adapted to be projected abovethe top of the casing, transversely extending ratchet teeth arranged atthe back of said element, a spring actuated pawl for engaging saidratchet teeth for maintaining said element in an adjusted position, adisk rotatably mounted at the lower portion of said casing, means foractuating. said disk, a vertically movable slide rod provided. at itsupper end with a pivoted element for successively engaging said ratchetteeth to elevate said element, a link connecting said rod to said disk,a sup porting hook depending from said casing, a vertically movableslotted rod traveling against said hook and provided with springcontrolled means for connecting itto said disk, and means for depressingsaid slotted rod to cause the operation of said disk and slide rod.

4. An apparatus for the purpose set forth comprising a verticallymovable indicating element provided at its rear with transverselyextending teeth, a vertically movable slide rod formed at its upper endwith cars, a pawl pivoted to said and adapted to en gage the teeth forvertically moving said element, guides for said rod having outwardlycurved lower port-ions to provide for swinging movement of the rodlaterally, a rotatable disk, a link connecting the rod to the disk, aspring controlled link pivotally con nected to said disk, and meansconnected with the spring connected link for actuating the disk to shiftthe rod.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

MICHAEL H. G-ILFOY.

